ENERGY giant Siemens plans to increase the intake of trainee wind technicians at its Newcastle training facility to 1,000 amid increased interest in the renewables sector.
The company opened the UK’s first dedicated wind power training school in the city in 2009, and has already trained over 500 technicians.
The facility has forged links with local schools and colleges such as Tyne Metropolitan, as well as universities such as Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham.
Siemens Energy director Graham Hartley said: “We’ve had a number of transfers, particularly in wind because wind and renewables are seen as the future. More people want to join than we have places for.”
He also added the company was aiming to increase its staff further in Newcastle if circumstances were favourable.
He said: “We’re looking to grow our workforce, but it’s very dependent on the Round Three offshore wind farm development programme becoming a reality.
“There are political and financial developments that need to happen first. We’re still waiting for a Government energy policy to come out at the end of the month, and the banks need to play their part in making offshore work.”
